Paris travel guide: one big museum, long walks and good dinners
Paris is compact enough to walk and the metro reaches everything else. The best three days mix one big museum, long walks through two or three neighborhoods and a proper dinner each night. Only a few things need booking ahead: the Eiffel Tower summit, the Louvre and the Sainte-Chapelle. Book those, then leave the rest loose.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in the Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés, give it three days, and book the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower summit before you fly.
- Where to stay
- The Marais for a first visit, Saint-Germain for quiet streets and cafes, Montmartre for views and a village feel.
- How many days
- Three days covers the main sights. Four adds Versailles or a slow day in the Latin Quarter and Canal Saint-Martin.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October are mild. July and August are hot and busy, and some small restaurants close in August.
- Book ahead
- The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower summit, the Sainte-Chapelle and the Musée d'Orsay on weekends. Choose a timed slot for each.
- From the airport
- Roissy-Charles de Gaulle has the RER B train to central Paris in about 35 minutes. Orly has tram T7 and metro line 14 links.
Where to stay in Paris, in brief
The Marais
first visits, shops and walking
Narrow medieval streets, the Place des Vosges and plenty of places to eat. The Louvre is about 25 minutes on foot. The catch is crowds on Sunday, when shops stay open.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
quiet streets, cafes and the Left Bank
Close to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Musée d'Orsay, with bookshops and old cafes. It is calmer at night than the Marais, and rooms cost more.
Montmartre
views and a village feel
Steep, quiet streets and the Sacré-Coeur. Stay on the south slope near Abbesses metro, since the streets near Pigalle are noisier at night.
Latin Quarter
students, bookshops and budget rooms
Near the Panthéon and the Seine. It is lively and good for cheap meals, but the tourist streets near Saint-Michel are best avoided for dinner.
Things to do in Paris
Louvre
Allow half a day and go for three or four rooms, not the whole building. Enter with a timed ticket.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
Eiffel Tower
The summit gives the best view but sells out. Book the lift, or walk the stairs to the second floor for a shorter queue.
4 to 8 weeks ahead in summer
Musée d'Orsay
Impressionist paintings in an old railway station. Go early or on a Thursday evening.
1 to 2 weeks ahead
Sainte-Chapelle
A small Gothic chapel with walls of medieval glass. It takes 30 minutes and is worth the timed slot.
1 to 3 weeks ahead
Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité
The cathedral has reopened after the fire. Entry is free, and you can reserve a slot online. Walk round the island afterwards.
a few days ahead
Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur
Climb in the morning, wander the back streets and eat lunch away from the Place du Tertre.
The Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin
Free and the best way to see how the city fits together. Cross a few bridges and sit on the quays.
Musée de l'Orangerie
Monet's water lilies in two oval rooms. Small, quiet and good with an hour to spare.
a few days ahead
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Paris can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Paris, and which to pick- Eiffel Tower summit4 to 8 weeks ahead in summer
Slots sell out, and the ticket office queue is long.
- Louvre timed entry2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
Entry is by timed slot, and walk-up places are limited.
- Sainte-Chapelle1 to 3 weeks ahead
Small space and fixed time slots.
What to skip in Paris
- The Champs-Élysées for lunch
It is mostly chains and high prices. Eat in the Marais, Saint-Germain or around Rue Cler instead.
- Restaurants with photo menus near the Eiffel Tower
The setting is good, the food is not. Walk 10 minutes into the 7th arrondissement streets.
- Street sellers near the Sacré-Coeur
Ignore the bracelet sellers and keep a hand on your bag in crowded places.
Best time to visit Paris
April to June is the best mix of mild weather and long days, with gardens in bloom. September and October are quieter, with warm afternoons and cooler evenings.
July and August are hot, and many Parisians leave, so some small restaurants close for a few weeks. Winter is cold and gray but cheaper, and the museums are calm.
- From Charles de Gaulle airportRER line B runs to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel in about 35 minutes. Taxis have a fixed fare to each bank of the Seine.
- The metroCheap and fast, with a stop every few hundred meters. Use a Navigo Easy card or contactless, and watch your bag on busy lines.
- On foot and by Vélib'Most central sights are within 30 minutes of each other. Vélib' bikes are available across the city, with a growing lane network.
- From Orly airportTram T7 and metro line 14 link Orly to the center. A taxi is simplest with luggage.
Paris in three days
- Day 1
Walk the Île de la Cité and Sainte-Chapelle in the morning, lunch in the Latin Quarter, then the Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Germain. Dinner in the 6th.
- Day 2
The Louvre at opening, a walk through the Tuileries to the Orangerie, then the Marais for the afternoon and dinner.
- Day 3
Montmartre in the morning, the Musée d'Orsay after lunch, and the Eiffel Tower at sunset from the Trocadéro.
Day trips from Paris
- VersaillesAbout 45 minutes by RER C. Go on a weekday morning, and book the palace and gardens ahead.
- GivernyAbout an hour by train to Vernon and a shuttle. Open from spring to autumn, and best in May and June.
- FontainebleauAbout 40 minutes by train. A calmer palace and a large forest, with fewer visitors than Versailles.
Paris: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Paris?
Three days is enough for the main sights without rushing. Four lets you add Versailles or a long walk beyond the center.
Where should I stay in Paris for the first time?
The Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Both are central and walkable, with plenty of places to eat.
What is the best time of year to visit Paris?
April to June and September to October. The weather is mild and the crowds are lower than in July and August.
Do I need to book the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower?
Yes. Both sell timed slots, and the summit of the Eiffel Tower is often sold out weeks ahead in summer.
Is Paris safe for tourists?
Mostly. Pickpockets work crowded metro lines and tourist spots, so keep bags closed and phones out of back pockets.
How do I get from the airport to the center?
From Charles de Gaulle, take RER B to the center in about 35 minutes. Taxis have a fixed fare to each bank of the Seine.